Trousers-stretcher



UNITED STATES` PATENT OFFICE.

HENRY C. HATCH, OF WINDHAM, CONNECTICUT.

TROUSERS-STRETCHER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 569,021, dated October 6, 1896.

Application filed March B0, 1896. Serial No. 585,460. (No model.)

To all whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, HENRY O. HATCH, a citizen of the United States, residing at Windham, Windham county, State of Connecticut, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Trousers-Stretchers, which improvements are fully set forth and described in the following specification, reference being had to the accompanying sheet of drawings.

The object of my invention is to provide a portable folding trousers-stretcher of cheap construction which shall be equally as effective as those now in use, and to assist in the explanation of my invention the accompanying drawings have been provided, illustrating the same, as follows:

Figure l is an elevation of my device and shows the manner in which it is used to stretch or shape the trousers, which latter are indicated by dotted lines in said gure. Fig. 2 is an enlarged edge View of my said device, showing in dotted lines the manner in which it is folded for convenience in transportation. Fig. 3 illustrates certain details of construction of my said stretchers.

My said device is composed of two substantially rectangular frame-sections, each denoted as a whole by reference-lettersD and E. These frames are each composed of two wires d b, bent to form said rectangular outline, and in the frame D those portions of Wires ct b forming the shorter sides of the rectangle are lapped by each other and the ends of each are coiled around the wire adjacent to such ends, as at c in the drawings. It will be readily understood that when thus constructed the overlapping portions are adjustable on each other, each coil c traveling on the wire which it encircles. Thus the width of the rectangle may be varied at will.

The frame E is the same in construction as the frame D, excepting only that the wires at one of its shorter sides are bent inwardly to form hooks d.

Frames D E are hinged together by means of links e, located on the wires a b, forming one of the shorter sides of frame D and engaging the hooks CZ of frame E. The wires d b of the said shorter side of frame D are bent, as at f, to form right-angular stops in said wires to prevent the endwise play of the links e thereon.

It will be readily understood thatv with a device thus constructed frames D and E may be folded upon each other, as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 2, thus shortening the device materially and allowing it to be packed in a much smaller space than would otherwise be possible.

It is of course understood that when in use two of my described stretchers are necessary, one being inserted in each leg of the trousers, after which the frames D and E are adjusted therein to bring them to a proper width to accomplish the desired shaping and creasing of the cloth and to keep the same smooth. Any tendency of the overlapping wires a b to accidentally slip on each other will be prevented by the clamping and binding of said Wires.

In order to prevent the slipping of the fabric when the stretcher is in use, I preferably serrate or roughen the outer edges of the side wires near their ends, as at g. When the fabric is drawn tightly around the wire, the serrations eectually prevent slipping, but do not in any way injure the fabric.

My device, when extended, serves in much the same manner as ordinary wire stretchers of this class, but should it be desired for any reason to pack the trousers into small space, as, for example, when traveling, sections D E may be readily folded upon each other, thus permitting the trousers to be packed without moving the stretcher, which latter, being within them, preserves the fabric of which the trousers are made in a smooth condition, Whereas they would otherwise be greatly mussed.

My device as a whole performs in a very satisfactory manner the work for which it is designed, is very simple in its construction, and may be very cheaply produced.

Having thus described my invention, I claim-n A trousers-stretcher consisting of two substantially rectangular frames whose sides are adj ustably connected by interlocked angular end portions c c the two rectangular frames being hinged together midway their length as set forth, and one of said frames being pro-k vided with angular stops f, all substantially as and for the purpose specified.

HENRY C. HATCH.

Witnesses:

HENRY E. CARD, FRANK. S. BAoxUs. 

